On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23 and 24, the 2016 Mid-Winter Chamber Music Weekend will glow with the warmth and passion of Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann and Clara Schumann. Favourites from the summer Chamber Music Festival will return: violinist Gary Levinson and pianist Baya Kakouberi travel from Texas to play two afternoon programs which will include a number of the most beloved compositions of these masters of the Romantic period. On Sunday, they will be joined by celebrated cellist Andrés Diaz, recently appointed as the inaugural Koerner Chair in cello at Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music. The Saturday programme includes Sonata No. 1 in G Major from Brahms and Sonata No. 1 in A Minor from Schumann. On Sunday, Diaz joins the duo for Fantasiestucke for cello and piano by R. Schumann, among other selections.
The concerts begin at 2 p.m.. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Harbour Insurance in Madeira Park, Sechelt Visitor Centre and at http://penderharbourmusic.ca/concert-series/2015-2016-tickets.
Coffee House
The next Pender Harbour Music Society’s Coffee House at the School of Music in Madeira Park is this Friday, Jan. 8. Doors open at 7 p.m. with music at 7:30. The line-up is: Jena Wren, alto jazz singer, accompanied by Ken Johnson; David J. Taylor, singer/songwriter, recording artist; and Backporch Reunion Cajun band. Coffee and goodies will be sold. It’s a $10 suggested donation at the door. See www.penderharbourmusic.ca for more.
Banner auction
If you have admired the colourful banners hanging in Gibsons, now is your chance to own one. There will be a silent auction for the banners hand painted by many local artists, at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery from Jan. 7 to 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Funds raised will go towards materials for future banner painting in Gibsons. Also, to accommodate interested potential banner artists who might attend the auction, the deadline for designs for the 2016 banner submissions has been extended until Jan. 15. Application forms are available at GPAG and online at www.gibsons.ca (under Community/Arts and Culture).
Theatre
On Sunday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. the first season of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company Live promises an exceptional series of plays broadcast by satellite from London’s Garrick Theatre and screened here at Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt. The Winter’s Tale will star a remarkable group of actors, featuring Judi Dench as Paulina and Kenneth Branagh as Leontes. Run time is three and a half hours. Tickets are $15 general/senior and $10 student (under 18). Call the theatre at 604-885-4597 to reserve.
Photography show
Janice Williams (Junco Jan) will be showing her photos at the Gibsons & District Public Library starting Tuesday, Jan. 12. Her work is quirky, people oriented and sure to catch your interest.
Syllabus available
Planning is well underway for the 43rd annual Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts, scheduled to begin April 13 and culminating with the Highlights Concert May 1. The syllabus and accompanying entry forms are available now in hard copy at Windows on the Water, MELOmania, Talewind Books and Earth Fair. The deadline for entries has been extended to Feb. 7. This year, dramatic arts have been added, allowing young people and adults a chance to participate with the spoken word. Local Toastmasters are helping to co-ordinate this discipline. Last year, more than 300 young people and adults took part in piano, vocal and choir, strings, woodwind, school bands and choirs and dance. See more at www.coastfestival.com
Stone sculpting
Stone sculpting weekend workshop for adult beginners and intermediates is scheduled for Jan. 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rock’N Art Gallery, 127 Clark Rd., Gibsons, hosted by SC Spirit of Excellence. The workshop is for adult beginners and intermediates taught by popular sculptor Don Watson. Tools are provided. Weekend fee is $249 including materials. Register at [email protected] or call 604-886-6591.
Hunter photo win
In November, photographer and performing arts teacher Elaine Hunter of Halfmoon Bay won another Best in Show for her work titled Snow Fences, a submission to the contemporary art gallery online for their Weather competition. “I am thrilled and humbled all at once,” she said.
Noon deadline
Send your notice of arts events by Tuesday at noon for Friday’s newspaper to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692. Art Beat covers events one day to one week ahead.
